Friday, November 25, 2011

Protest the Crime Bill C-10 Now!!!


If you have still to find out about this ugly bill C-10 (or S-10 in the Senate) that is going to be pushed through with very little public input while you are going about your Christmas shopping... please do some research... for instance... 
Each one of us, however, can make our voices heard.  
A new friend of mine shared with me her letter to Prime Minister Harper.
I am now sharing it with you anonymously because I didn't ask her permission to use her name.
(hugs)
later man, jan
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Dear Mr. Harper,

I have never been politically active, but this crime bill is so wrong-headed and destructive that I felt I had to do something.

Too many people think this is all about murderers and child molesters, but most people who run afoul of the law are ordinary, decent people like you and me.  We are all fallible human beings, we all make mistakes, and some of these mistakes get us into trouble with the law.  This does not make us monsters, beyond redemption.  Almost all of us deserve a second chance, and most of us will go on to lead productive lives as good citizens.  Why take away that chance?  It will cost everyone more in the long run, and not just financially.

Two points I particularly take issue with are mandatory minimum sentences, and the elimination of pardons.  Firstly, the mandatory minimum sentences have been tried elsewhere and failed.  Why expect them to work magic here?  There are already too many people in prison for the wrong reasons, people who need treatment not punishment.  Prison will not make them better citizens, rather the opposite is more likely.

As to the elimination of pardons, do you have any idea how difficult it is to get a job with a criminal record?  Most people with records are not monsters, and given the chance will become hard-working, productive members of society, even taxpayers!  With a record, many will languish and be a drain on the system.  The economic cost is huge.  People who want to work and are qualified should be encouraged, not shut out.  All of society would benefit.

Revenge is not justice, it is simply revenge, and has no place in a modern civilized society.

Respectfully yours,

(name removed as I am posting this without her permission)

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